Large Area Leak Sensor for Sequestered Carbon Dioxide

The sustainable development and use of coal fired power plants will require carbon dioxide capture and sequestration (CCS) in the future. Without CCS, the emitted carbon dioxide could lead to irreversible climate change. Because it is critical to ensure that sequestered carbon dioxide remain trapped, high-performance sensors are required to detect any leaks at their earliest stages. This project will develop prototype wide-area carbon dioxide leak detectors. In this approach, a simple, rugged, long-path optical spectrometer will provide the required measurement precision for CO2 leak detection in the presence of the atmospheric background. By combining multiple lines-of-sight with a central transceiver, wide-area leak detection can be achieved. In Phase I, a breadboard laser diode long-path optical spectrometer was constructed for testing and proof-of-principle. Measurement precision for atmospheric carbon dioxide was determined over several line-of-sight path lengths in the field, and requirements for calibration and stable measurement were determined. A stack of control electronics was reduced to the size of a shoe box. In Phase II, fully-integrated sensor prototypes will be constructed for wide-area CO2 leak detection, standard operating protocols for the sensors will be established, and the prototypes will be refined through beta-testing in several field applications. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The proposed technology should provide high-performance in an inexpensive, field-compatible, package. The approach would offer a compelling blend of price, performance, and physical advantages in a variety of gas detection applications. Examples include atmospheric monitoring, environmental regulatory compliance, process gas analysis, and biomedical breath diagnostics.